Things You'll Need:
- Internet Access
- Money
- Understanding of your lifestyle
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Step 1
Before deciding which piece of equipment to choose, think about when and where you will be exercising. If you're planning on exercising while watching the TV work out how small a piece of equipment you require and how it will be stored.
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Step 2
Consider your fitness goals. Do you want to tone up, get fit or lose weight? Possibly you want or need to do all three. If so, you will need a variety of equipment.
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Step 3
Exercise bands and handheld weights can help with toning. To save money on handheld weights consider using empty soda bottles filled with water. They come in a variety of sizes from 1/2 liter to 3, so you have a choice of weights to choose from.
An exercise mat will provide comfort and support for toning exercises such as crunches, curls and lunges.
To improve your core stability, consider a Swiss ball to put a bit of bounce in your exercise regime. These rubber spheres are not only effective - they're fun too! -
Step 4
Cardiovascular equipment, such as cycles, treadmills and cross-trainers are ideal for fat-burning and improving aerobic fitness. It's always worth trying these out at a gym or friend's home before purchasing to see which you enjoy most. Yes, they can be fun if you choose wisely!
Look for equipment that engages you as well as caters to your needs. It's always handy to have equipment that has a drinks holder for your water bottle and a place to hang your towel. If you are an avid reader, look for items with book stands.
If you are a larger person, it's a good idea to look at maximum body weights before purchasing an item. -
Step 5
Indoor cycles fall into three categories: upright, semi-recumbent and fully-recumbent.
Upright cycles are stationary bikes. They are fairly inexpensive so it's worth your while to see what extras you can get with them, such as a pulse monitor.
Semi-recumbent bikes allow you to stretch your legs out a bit. Look for a full function console which offers a variety of programs as well as heart rate monitor.
Fully-recumbent cycles are popular in health clubs. With a wider seat they offer more comfort. However they ride low to the ground so can cause difficulty for those with back problems. Go for a full function console with a variety of programs, intervals and a heart-rate monitor. This is the most expensive option for indoor bikes so it is worth getting as much as possible function-wise for your dollars. -
Step 6
When looking at treadmills, opt for a motorized version with several functions which allow you to challenge yourself. These include: speed, incline, set programs and fitness tests.
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Step 7
Elliptical cross trainers are growing in popularity. They offer intense calorie-burning exercise that is virtually impact-free. Combining the benefits of stair climbers, treadmills, and rowing machines, they can effectively work several areas of the body at once thus saving you time end effort.
The price range for these varies from $100 to $3500. More advanced users should spend at least $1000 on their equipment. However, for a beginner opt for a more basic model. However, you should go for a full function console with a variety of programs, range of intensities, intervals and a heart-rate monitor. -
Step 8
Once you have found an item (or items) you are thinking of purchasing, look online for user reviews. Epinions.Com offers users comments on various exercise (and non-exercise) items.
Comments
sypaaron said
on 4/11/2008 If anyone is interested, I put together a beautiful, hand-designed PDF of this article that is optimized for printing.
You can find it here: http://www.saveyourprinter.com/how-to-choose-home-exercise-equipment/
MidniteWriter said
on 1/6/2008 It's good to get a machine that performs a few functions so you do not grow tired of it. I have seen a recumbent bike that doubles as as rowing machine, believe it or not.
I love my elliptical. This is an excellent machine that you won't soon grow tired of. Very good advice!